Diane swallowed hard, caught between defiance and truth. “Maybe,” she muttered. The principal’s expression hardened. “Hatred returned only multiplies. Cruelty repeated only deepens. You think you’re defending yourself, but you’re continuing what you claim to despise.” Carol’s heart pounded. Each word sliced through her daughter—and through her.
For the first time, Diane fell quiet. Her hands clenched the chair’s armrests, eyes darting down. Carol wanted to reach out to smooth the moment over, but the principal’s gaze held her still. This wasn’t a wound to be hidden. It had to sting before it could heal.